Fun in the snow

Isaac and I had some fun this afternoon in the snow. We had previously shoveled off the deck and then he wanted to go down and play in/shovel (to him they're the same) the snow on the driveway. So we did that for a while and then I had an idea to make some tunnels through the snow. It turned out pretty well I think.



Here's a short (2 min. 51 sec.) video clip that Bonnie took of the two of us...

Photo Exhibit Poster/Invitation

Here's the poster/invitation that was produced for my upcoming exhibition. You're most welcome to come by for the opening reception on the 4th if you're in the area.



You can go to www.photistry.com to see more of my images.

And the best part about today was?

Two parts to this answer:
1. While Bonnie was at Curves, Isaac and I were outside pushing snow as he likes to call it. It was a gorgeous day, the sun was shining, and it actually felt a little warm. But the real blessing was just spending time with Isaac, doing something he wanted to do. So the two of us--me with the shovel, and Isaac with his Tonka dump truck--spent about an hour clearing parts of our driveway off. I'd fill his dump truck up with snow and he'd proceed to push it away to the ditch.

Later I split some more wood and Isaac helped stack it in our carport.

I continue to be blessed by how much he enjoys helping out in the various things I try and get done around the house. It's good for my soul.

2. I spent a good portion of the day pursuing some new opportunities for my business. In the morning I spent a couple hours walking around town distributing posters and invitations for my upcoming photography exhibition at the Art Gallery (Jan.3-26, 2008).

Then this afternoon I had another meeting with the town representative for arts, recreation and culture. We've been discussing for a couple days now the possibility of me putting on a series of photography-related workshops in the new year. The thought of teaching is a little intimidating, but I'm encouraged that this town representative feels there's some good possibilities in the ideas we've discussed thus far.

And lastly, after supper I called the owner of a new hotel that's being built here in town. I had spoken with him briefly a few weeks ago, but only followed up tonight. I had the idea to approach this gentleman about selling him some prints of my photography as art/decoration for his new hotel. So tomorrow we're going to meet and I'm going to show him some of my images and see where it goes from there.

Isaac's Christmas Tree

While we were out getting our tree this morning, Isaac decided he wanted one of his own. So we cut one down and after a little deliberation, Isaac decided he wanted it in his bedroom. After decorating it, here's what it looks like:

Christmas Preparations

Last week Isaac's cousins (and parents too) came over for dinner. After which all the kids had quite an enjoyable time destroying the Gingerbread Train that Isaac and Bonnie had put together. Needless too say the sugar intake was probably too high...











Tonight we did a little more decorating around the house. We're planning on having the family Christmas gathering at our house this year. So tomorrow the plan (weather permitting) is to go out with Dad and get a Christmas Tree.



Music listened to while making this post: Monkey Grinder, from Chagall Guevara's self-titled 1991 release

I'm dreaming of a white Christmas

Wow, to think we will actually have a white Christmas this year is quite exciting! I can't get over how beautiful the trees look with their snowy frosting. In the Lower Mainland it came and went so quickly most of the time that we couldn't enjoy it for long. The temperature is much colder here, though, and I've given up walking to work for the time being, until I become more acclimatized to the cold.

I've been doing some overtime shifts the last couple of days, and, while it's nice to feel needed, I find myself being more tired, and feeling bad when Isaac says, "I want you to stay home and play with me Mommy!" Also, as the Christmas season approaches, I find myself missing my family even more, as well as close friends. People here are friendly for the most part, but nothing beats the tried and true relationships.

So for all my beloved family and friends, know that I'm thinking of you and remembering the good times we've had, while developing new friendships here. I love you! Merry Christmas!

Another saying from Isaac and other things

The other afternoon as I was tending the fire, Isaac came up with another one of his where-do-they-think-of-these-things kind of saying. Daddy, "You should keep the poker dirty and not the hand owee!" I guess he's seen me burn my fingers on the door of the stove a few too many times.

OTHER THINGS
Although it's been cold, we've been enjoying the snow here. Yesterday I had to shovel off the deck as it was accumulating quite a bit. There was just under 12" of fluffy white snow on the deck. It's quite a difference from the wet and heavy snow from the lower mainland. This stuff up here (at least to date) is the lightest snow I can remember experiencing in a long time. It certainly makes shoveling a lot easier.

I've also been renovating (FINALLY) the last room in the basement. This is the room where we have our futon (for guests), as well as our TV where we watch movies. We've done the walls in two colours: Chai Latte, and Charcoal Slate. It's made quite a difference from the pale blue that was originally in the room. I've put up shelves in the closet for our CD's and have just started nailing the new baseboards to the walls. Once the baseboards are in place, I'll be putting some white moulding in the 4 corners of the room as well. It'll look nice once everything is completed.